How to Navigate this Book

The design and construction of buildings is about making informed choices. The choices made will be specific to the context of the site, client requirements, building type and size, prevailing socio-economic conditions, and be underpinned by respect for our planet. Whatever their function, buildings need to offer a safe, healthy, stimulating, and sustainable environment for all users.

The construction process will start with a thorough assessment of client needs and an equally thorough assessment of the building site, from which designs can be developed and options considered. Options will relate to where the building is to be positioned on the site, through to the general massing and appearance of the building. This is linked to significant decisions, such as whether to use loadbearing construction, framed construction, offsite or onsite construction methods, or some form of hybrid approach. In turn, these decisions help direct choices about the materials to be used and the selection of elements such as walls and windows; and on to decisions about fixings, fittings, services provision, and finishes.

To design buildings and to make choices about how they are to be constructed safely, economically, and sustainably requires knowledge of construction in the widest sense of the term. This encompasses knowledge about construction materials and technologies, construction techniques, economy, and environmental credentials. This is underpinned by knowledge of building laws, regulations and guidance in the form of building standards and codes. The environmental impact of the choices made should underly all decisions, as these will have a long-term influence on the performance and sustainability of the building. To make effective decisions requires a long-term vision of the building, from inception and assembly, through the building's use and adaption, to disassembly and reuse of materials and components; what we refer to as a circular economy. The intention is to design and construct buildings that produce no waste and also generate more energy than they consume; an active building.

Design and construction is predicated on proposing and evaluating a variety of options for the given context. In all but the smallest of projects choices are made by a variety of professionals and tradespeople as they aim to satisfy the needs of the building sponsor, the client, within given parameters such as time, cost, quality, and environmental impact. These parameters drive decisions and influence the choices made in a complex social and cultural context. The overall goal is to satisfy client requirements while also creating a functional and delightful building that makes a positive impact on the planet. The criteria by which options are evaluated is related to the functional requirements of individual elements, components, and materials; the parts that make up the whole. To do this effectively requires a thorough understanding of construction.

The original philosophy of Robin Barry - to address the functional requirements of building elements - is fundamental to making informed choices. Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings and Barry's Advanced Construction of Buildings are designed to inform readers about the underpinning construction principles relating to all buildings, regardless of size or intended use. This is achieved through the use of precedents, the description, and illustration of 'typical solutions' to common construction challenges. In doing this the intention is not to tell the reader how to solve the challenge before them, rather it is to provide an example that informs knowledge, and from which fundamental questions can be asked. Once we have developed an understanding of how buildings are constructed and how they may behave, we can then start to ask whether or not the techniques we use are appropriate for our context. We can apply our analytical skills to start to question conventional wisdom and to think about how we may go about doing things differently to respond to and anticipate changes in our climate and expectations of building users.

The Barry books are presented in two volumes, Introduction and Advanced, with the volumes designed to complement one another. The titles are used to reflect the stage at which these subjects are taught in colleges and universities in the UK. Introduction covers the first year, primarily dealing with loadbearing construction and domestic scale developments. It also explores the common elements found in most buildings. The Advanced volume includes material usually taught in the second to third year, primarily dealing with offsite techniques framed construction and reuse of existing buildings. Combined, the two volumes take the reader through the entire life cycle of a building, from inception and construction, to the building in use and eventual demolition, recycling and reuse of valuable resources.

An overview of the chapters in each volume is provided in Table 1, as an aid to navigation of the books.

Chapters are designed so that they can be read from front to back or they can be dipped into as the need arises. Each chapter or section introduces the primary functional requirements and then the reader is introduced to an increasing level of detail. The illustrations and photographs are provided to enhance our understanding of the main principles. At a glance sheets are used for each chapter to address the main what, why, how, and when questions.

Table 1 Overview of the chapters

If readers are studying, for example, loadbearing construction, then they will need to read the Introduction volume and focus on specific chapters to supplement their learning in the classroom. In this situation, the reader will need to read chapters all the way through in the first instance, perhaps returning to specific issues, such as the position of the damp-proof course. Similarly, if readers are studying framed construction, the Advanced volume will be a valuable resource, supplemented with material on, for example, doors and windows from the Introduction volume. When it comes to revising for examinations in construction technology, the 'At a glance' feature will be useful in prompting one's memory, prior to revisiting key issues within the chapter. Chapters conclude with guidance on additional sources and reflective exercises. The reflective exercises aim to help readers question why and how we are constructing buildings in the way we do. These can be addressed by individual readers and also by small study groups as primers for discussion. We have set these in the context of (design) project work, so whatever the scale of the project or level of study the exercises should help readers to reflect on the most appropriate solution for a given context.

The principles and details illustrated here are intended as a guide to the construction of buildings. When readers use the books to help detail their building designs, dipping into chapters to see solutions to typical detailing problems will help with understanding. It is, however, important that we understand the principles underlying the construction of buildings - what needs to be achieved and why. Thus the details and photographs provided give an indication of how it could be done; not how it should be done. Details should not be copied without thinking about what is really going on. This also applies to details given in guidance documents and manufacturers' information.

Readers should be asking questions such as: How is the building to be assembled, maintained and disassembled safely and efficiently? Is the detail in question entirely suitable for the task at hand? We make this point because building practices and regulations vary from region to region and country to country. For example, a building located in a wet and sheltered area of the UK may benefit from a pitched roof with a large overhang, but a similar building in a dry and exposed part of the country may benefit from a pitched roof with clipped eaves or even a flat roof. It is impossible to cover every eventuality for every reader in these books. Instead, we would urge readers to engage in critical thinking, analyse the details, and then seek out more...